Creating a FileMaker Pro file
You can create as many database files as you need to organize information. You can:
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Create an empty file, then design layouts yourself.
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Create an empty file using layouts defined in a FileMaker Pro Starter Solution (template).
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Use FileMaker Pro to open a file containing data in another file format, then modify the design by adding layouts, if needed. For information, see Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file.
To create a new file:
1.
Choose File menu > New Database.
Tip  You can use the FileMaker Quick Start Screen to create new files. Choose Help menu > Quick Start Screen, click Create a New Database, and continue with step 2.
2.
Type a name for the file (choose a different folder, if needed), then click Save.
Windows: For Save as type, select FileMaker Files. If you don't type a file extension, FileMaker Pro adds .fmp12 to the filename. (To view file extensions in Windows, see the Windows operating system Help.)
FileMaker Pro creates the file, displays a blank, empty file in Layout mode, and displays the Field Picker dialog box, where you can define fields for the database and add them to the layout.
3.
Define the fields, drag the fields to the layout, then close the Field Picker dialog box.
See Defining fields in the Field Picker dialog box.
4.
Add objects and other embellishments to the layout.
See Creating and managing layouts and reports.
5.
Save and exit the layout.
Notes
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By default, choosing File menu > New Database displays an empty database in Layout mode. You can change the default setting to display the Manage Database dialog box whenever you choose File menu > New Database to create a new database. See Setting general preferences.
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To define tables, fields, and relationships, or to set field options in the Manage Database dialog box, choose File menu > Manage > Database. See Defining fields in the Manage Database dialog box and Defining database tables.
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To add fields and records, define field types, and set options for fields in a spreadsheet-like table, use the options in Table View. See Working with data in Table View.
To create a file using a Starter Solution:
1.
In FileMaker Pro, choose File menu > New From Starter Solution.
Tip  You can use the FileMaker Quick Start Screen to create new files. Choose Help menu > Quick Start Screen, click Use a Starter Solution, and continue with step 2.
2.
Select All Solutions to view a list of all available solution files or choose a solution category to narrow the list of choices.
Note  If no solutions are listed, see Notes below.
3.
Select a solution from the list (Windows) or the group of thumbnails (OS X), then click Choose.
4.
Type a name for the file (choose a different folder, if needed), then click Save.
Windows: For Save as type, select FileMaker Files. If you don't type a file extension, FileMaker Pro adds .fmp12 to the filename. (To view file extensions in Windows, see the Windows operating system Help.)
FileMaker Pro creates the file on your disk and the file opens. This predesigned database contains fields and buttons set up for tasks commonly performed in databases. This file contains no data.
5.
Click New Record in the status toolbar to add data to the file.
Notes
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If you don’t see the FileMaker Starter Solutions, they are not installed. If you have your installation CD, you can install the Starter Solutions by specifying the English language pack when you perform a custom installation of FileMaker Pro over your existing installation. For more information about installing FileMaker Pro, see the Installation and New Features Guide for FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced. If you do not have your installation CD, visit http://www.filemaker.com and download Starter Solutions individually. If you want Starter Solutions to be accessible from the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, place them in one of the following locations:
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FileMaker Pro/English Extras/Templates/
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FileMaker Pro Advanced/English Extras/Templates/
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You can create a file by opening a non-FileMaker Pro data file (for example, a Microsoft Excel file) in FileMaker Pro, or by making a copy of an existing FileMaker Pro file. When you open a non-FileMaker Pro data file, a new FileMaker Pro file is created with the file’s data in it. See Converting a data file to a new FileMaker Pro file.
Troubleshooting problems when creating a file
If you see the error message, This command cannot be used by this installation of FileMaker, the ability to create new databases was disabled during the installation of FileMaker Pro.
Contact your systems administrator for more information.
Related topics 
About planning a database
Defining database tables
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